The Falcon and the Flower Part 39

Chapter 41.

When they left for Gloucester, Hugh and Avisa took their hundred knights, leaving only the smal garrison of men-at- arms who always resided at Castle Rising. They had only been gone twenty-four hours when an urgent demand arrived by king's messenger for Hubert de Burgh.

The castel an exchanged furious words with the king's messenger, and Lady Jasmine de Burgh was consulted. The young knight had cold eyes and a hard mouth; moreover, he was furious that the justiciar was not in residence. "Madame, the king has traveled from London to Cambridge with only the king's own guard because he could wait no longer for the justiciar. What is the man about?" he demanded angrily.

"The man?" asked Jasmine, taken aback by the young knight's lack of respect. "Sir, you are speaking of England's justiciar. Are you not afraid of incurring his wrath?"

"I am more afraid of the king's," he said bluntly. "In fact, I dare not return and tel him I could not find the justiciar. It is not safe for King John to travel farther north without protection of his army."

"Not safe?" asked Jasmine.

"Madame, it was only last Christmas that an army of two thousand gathered at Stamford ready to move against the king. Have you been hiding under a stone?"

Jasmine laughed prettily. "Since John signed the Great Charter I am sure the army has disbanded. This is October and ten long months have pa.s.sed since Christmas," she chided.

He flushed and his eyes narrowed. She was insinuating that he was a coward, when he was only fol owing the king's orders.

"The justiciar has been gone less than twenty-four hours. They cannot be much farther than Peterborough. I wil send after him. Return to the king and tel him that Lady Jasmine de Burgh awaits him at Castle Rising." She gave him a contemptuous little smile. "I warrant he'l chance the forty miles from Cambridge without his army." She cal ed in the castel an.

"See that this man gets some ale and a fresh horse."

Jasmine was restless as a tigress. She took up a warm cloak and went up on the battlements. Castle Rising had an unimpeded view of the wash. She watched in fascination as miles and miles of pale coral sand were swal owed by the tide sweeping in from the North Sea. She nervously licked her lips and tasted the salt air upon them. The gul s and terns swooping overhead screamed with cries that pierced her heart. Why had she come? she asked herself in a panic. She must have been mad! Then she turned to face the wind and it brought a smal measure of calm.

She had come to ask King John a boon. She would face a dragon in its cave to al ow her sons to remain in Ireland with their father. Aye, and if she was being truthful, she had also come to punish Falcon. She loved him total y and was devastated by his faithlessness. She had run blindly away from him in hope that the separation would make him suffer so much he would value her more. But she realized bleakly that if she was unfaithful to him with the king, he would value her less in fact, she would be worthless in his eyes.

She sighed. John would be here soon. She would have to face him alone, unprotected. Her only salvation was a smal face him alone, unprotected. Her only salvation was a smal vial of hemlock with which she would render him impotent.

She had brought it al the way from Ireland. It was hidden between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and she would keep it on her person at al times.

She went down in search of the castel an to see which apartments he would a.s.sign to the king. He showed her into the west wing of Castle Rising where over the years the king had often stayed. It was the only wing that had enough bedrooms to accommodate his gentlemen and servants. She asked the castel an to give Estel e a chamber close to hers in the east wing, then sought out Murphy, who was housed in the tower with his two young de Burgh charges and their servants.

The boys had just returned from sword practice in the yard.

They were both eager to learn and thought themselves quite fierce now that they final y owned real weapons.

"The king is coming. It's possible he wil be arriving as early as tomorrow. You must kneel to him and always address him as 'yur majesty' or 'sire,' " she told them.

Murphy said, "Whist, la.s.s, they've been properly trained for al that, even though they're fresh from the bogs of Ireland."

"Oh, Murphy, I didn't mean to imply that they are ignorant. They are boys and may not place the same importance on things as we do. I'm about to offer more advice and hope you won't take offense at me. Please study the tides before you go riding on the sands of the wash. The water seems to sweep riding on the sands of the wash. The water seems to sweep around treacherously in circles. You could be marooned and drown out there if you were not wary."

Young Richard laughed and flushed. "I was already caught out there, my lady. My fear was so great it won't happen again."

She said to Murphy, "I've arranged for Estel e to have a chamber in the east wing, far from the king's apartments, so you may be private with her."

He nodded his thanks, and Jasmine warned, "It may be necessary for me to flee the king, Murphy, if he tries to hold me captive. Don't be alarmed and above al do nothing foolish to antagonize John and jeopardize the boys' safety. Together with Estel e I wil be able to outwit him. I would appreciate it, however, if you would keep a couple of horses saddled and ready in case we have to steal away at a moment's notice."

Jasmine went down to the great kitchens where huge piles of game were already being dressed and sides of beef and venison were being fitted to the spits. The king's men were used to a sumptuous table, and she wanted to make sure there would be some extra-special dishes for John. She decided the first course would be a tureen of prawns and oysters broiled in herb sauce, fol owed by crisply browned roast duckling with orange and lemon sauce, a rack of lamb cooked crisp on the outside, but rare and pink on the inside, marrows stuffed with smoky minced ham and cheese, an artichoke salad, fol owed by apple, pear, and peach pie and spicy tarts decorated with marchpane.

The next day she chose her gown careful y. After much deliberation she donned a midnight-blue velvet with a demure lace col ar. The dark color contrasted vividly with her pale golden tresses, but the gown was so plain and severe that it pointed out she was a woman of virtue.

At last she heard the rumble of wagons and looked out to see the king and his gentlemen riding beside the baggage carts.

This was most unusual; the men customarily rode wel ahead of these dust-raising carts. She heard the king order that the wagons not be unloaded and that they be guarded by a dozen men round the clock. She puzzled over the significance of this as she craned her neck to get a glimpse of Estel e. She knew her grandmother was a bad traveler and hoped she had not been forced to ride al the way. Jasmine picked up her skirts and ran, leaving the castel an and his a.s.sistants to receive the large party. She would wait to welcome the king at the door to his apartments, and at the first opportunity she would play the supplicant on her sons' behalf.

Jasmine's heart beat wildly as she heard John ascending the stairs and her thoughts scattered in a thousand directions, then a measure of calm descended as he came into view and she gathered her confidence. She was a woman; he didn't stand a chance.

King John smiled at her, deeply satisfied. "Jasmine, you came to me."

She went down on her knee before him, and he raised her up and took her into his arms. His mouth captured hers in a possessive kiss and she almost panicked and fled.

"Majesty, I came as a supplicant to beg a favor from you," she said primly. He took her hand firmly in his and swept into the chamber with her. Half a dozen of his gentlemen crowded in after them.

"The hal has been special y decorated in your honor, sire, and they wil be serving some of your favorite dishes at dinner."

His eyes traveled down to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and his mouth curved with appreciation. "Lady Jasmine and I wil dine here. You gentlemen may be excused now, I think we can manage with the services of a page. Send young Jamie to me." The men bowed and left them alone.

A warning bel was ringing in Jasmine's ears. She must not risk offending the king because he was so unpredictable. He was capable of turning cruel and vicious in an instant, yet she must find a plausible excuse that would al ow her to leave the room, "Majesty, I am honored that you wish to dine with me.

May Estel e join us? I have missed her so very much."

"No, you little minx, she may not. I want you to myself tonight, Jasmine, and I believe that's perfectly obvious."

She blushed a deep pink and he laughed. "Ah, you do understand that I am going to make love to you; I am pleased."

"Majesty," she protested, "I came to pet.i.tion you to let my sons stay in Ireland. They are only babes, and I "

His arm went about her waist and he pul ed her to him. He looked down at her lovely pale face. "You may have anything you desire."

"Thank you, sire," she said with a sinking heart, for she knew that in return he would take what he desired.

She stammered. "Majesty, I-I must bathe and dress for dinner."

He shook his head and laughed. "I haven't bathed yet. We wil bathe together." His eyes glittered knowingly. "Jasmine, I have waited too many years for you. I won't permit you to leave this room tonight."

"Sire, please. I have never been unfaithful to my husband. You know I am a virtuous woman."

"I should have asked de Burgh for you long ago. He would have had to give you to me, I am the king, he would have had no choice."

She thought wildly, My G.o.d, you do not know Falcon de Burgh!

"Sire, I do not believe you would deliberately ruin my marriage. De Burgh would never share my favors."

"He would have no choice, littlest one. He would have more good sense than to see me ruin al the de Burghs by stripping them of their land and t.i.tles," he warned. "Jasmine, you have royal blood. Surely I don't have to explain to you the divine right of kings?"

She lowered her lashes to her cheeks as his fingers sought her soft breast. "No, your majesty," she murmured. Jasmine cursed her luck. John had outwitted her. She should never have underestimated him.

The young page knocked discreetly and entered. "Jamie, order a bath and see that the fire is banked."

"Wil you remove your cloak, sire?" he asked as he saw the king stil wore his sable-lined mantle.

"The lady wil tend me, Jamie."

"Yes, your majesty. Which gown shal I bring for the lady?"

John licked his lips and said with relish, "The champagne satin, I think. There is nothing to compare with the feel of satin on female flesh."

Jasmine realized they were not speaking of a gown but a nightgown. She was shocked to realize the page tended John and his women every night and that the king traveled with a selection of negligees with which to adorn the women his gentlemen procured for him.

When the page left the chamber, Jasmine reached up to remove the magnificent cloak from John's shoulders. She was glad that he wanted her to attend to his needs. She thought of the vial between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and knew the degree of deviousness it would require to doctor the king's wine.

John sat down before the fire. "My boots, Jasmine,"

She stiffened. Al her senses were heightened and she was sensitively aware of every nuance. Was this night to be a lesson in humiliation? She came to him and knelt before him, her lashes lowered over eyes liquid with apprehension.

"By G.o.d, you look at me." His fingers forced her chin up. He laughed. "J^ord, how angry you are with me at this moment."

Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. She was the most ethereal creature he had ever seen, and her anger excited him. There was something else about this young woman that had always excited him. She looked as innocent and untouched as a virgin. In fact, with her silvery-gilt hair she looked angelic. A thril ing surge ran through his loins at the thought of defiling an angel.

"My doublet," he murmured. With trembling fingers she unfastened the bril iant emerald and gold doublet and wondered if she dared first remove the golden circlet from his head before she pul ed off the doublet, or if he would wear it to bed. Her fear was momentarily replaced by amus.e.m.e.nt as she saw that beneath the doublet he wore a corset. John was showing signs of corpulence from his life of indulgence, but his vanity demanded he try to hide it from the world.

She choked back a laugh and coughed. "My throat is so dry, Majesty. May I have some wine?" she whispered.

He waved a negligent hand toward the sideboard, but his avid eyes never left her. She slowly poured two goblets of deep, rich wine, knowing he would see immediately if she reached for the vial. Merciful y at that moment the servants arrived with a large wooden tub and a dozen buckets of hot water.

Jasmine's hands were trembling so violently she almost dropped the smal vial. Clutching it tightly, she emptied half its contents into the goblet on the right and quickly slipped the vial back between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Young Jamie arrived with bath oils, scented soap, a pile of crested towels, and a champagne satin night rail. When the page made no move to leave the chamber, she took the wine goblets over to John, handed him the one in her right hand, and murmured, "Dismiss the page."

"He's going to bathe us," explained John.

"Oh, no!" Jasmine exclaimed, appal ed. She'd have no witnesses to what went on between her and the king. "I'l bathe us, sire."

John waved out the page. "Remove your gown," he said with hungry eyes. It was as if she was paralyzed. Though her shyness excited him, he was growing impatient. "Do you think your t.i.ts and p.u.s.s.y so special you won't even show your king?

" His eyes glittered. "Wil I have my gentlemen back in to undress you?"

"Oh, you wouldn't!" She was horrified at the suggestion but knew him capable of anything.

He laughed. "They'l even hold you for me while I f.u.c.k you, sweetheart."

She realized with a growing alarm that he had not even tasted his wine. She took a deep gulp from her own goblet and was vastly relieved to see him fol ow suit and sip his own. The vial between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s burned her skin. She knew that at al costs she must conceal it. Slowly she removed her gown, knowing that he watched her hungrily. Then, pretending shyness, she presented him with her back so that she could remove the vial and tuck it beneath her discarded gown on the stool. She slowly removed her undergarment and John's eyes were drawn immediately to her heart-shaped bottom. His mouth suddenly went dry and he quaffed the wine deeply.

"Leave the stockings," he said thickly. "Come to me." She had beautiful b.r.e.a.s.t.s, lovely ivory globes with dark-pink nipples.

He grinned in appreciation. "Your t.i.ts real y are something special."

She made no move toward him, so he came to her. She was relieved that he brought his wine with him. She took up her own goblet again and drank deeply. Before he set the golden cup down, he too quaffed deeply. He took her b.r.e.a.s.t.s into his hands, weighing them, squeezing them. "Your skin is so pale, so fair, you wil be covered with finger bruises by morning."

He knelt and pul ed off her garters and stockings, then turned her so that he could intimately examine her round b.u.t.tocks.

She bit her lips to keep from screaming as his hands explored her. Then he reached down to remove the rest of his own clothing. She moved away, ostensibly to finish her wine, but as John stood before her naked she almost choked. He was so overendowed, like al the male Plantagenets, he was hung like a bul . She closed her eyes to blot out the horror of it al and he laughed at her.

"Sil y child. You've been running away from me for years when al the time I had exactly what you wanted. Come, the water looks inviting," he ordered.

She drained her wine and John did the same. He took her hand to help her into the tub and as he climbed in his enormous erection brushed her thigh. He sat down in the scented water and pul ed her into his lap.

"d.a.m.n, the hot water has made me grow limp," he cursed.

Jasmine had never heard such welcome words in her life. Her legs grew weak with relief and she sank down into the water with him. The hemlock was working; pray G.o.d it kept him in this flaccid condition.

He played with her in the water and did al manner of things to t.i.til ate himself, but his member would not harden. Jasmine felt an uncontrol able revulsion as John's smal hands caressed her obscenely, yet she dared not show it. The water warmed her skin until it glowed rosily, but inside she was cold as ice, frozen with horror. He decided they should quit the water, blaming the bath for his condition. He took up another bottle of wine and fil ed his goblet. "Put on the satin and get into bed,"

he commanded.

He lifted her on top of his great body and rubbed her shamelessly against him. The slippery material moving over their naked flesh would have aroused a dead man.

She closed her eyes and wil ed her mind to separate from her body. A great nausea was rising within her, and she wondered wildly what he would do if she threw up al over him.

He stil had the desire, but the ability to perform was nonexistent. His frustration increased by the minute. He got up for another bottle of wine, then doubled his efforts, demanding that Jasmine kiss him, arouse him.

She had the temerity to suggest that his inability stemmed from the fact that he knew what he did was wrong. He silenced her with a particularly brutal squeezing of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, leaving her gasping with pain. But her words started the wheels turning in his brain. The reason he was having trouble was because she looked so pure and innocent angelic, that was it.

He reached for another bottle, this time not bothering with a goblet. He said thickly, "I must get past this ridiculous barrier of your saintliness. Your pose as the Holy Virgin is al a pretense. Beneath the masquerade you are hotter than other b.i.t.c.hes. I'l have you avid for me tomorrow night. I'l tie you to b.i.t.c.hes. I'l have you avid for me tomorrow night. I'l tie you to the bed and take your virginity."

"I am not a virgin," Jasmine said, greatly alarmed.

John's hand swept up to her b.u.t.tocks and his finger traced the cleft of her bottom. "There is one place where you are stil virgin. None has been before me in here," he said, pressing home the finger.

Final y his exertions, greatly aided by the wine he had imbibed, took their tol and he fel asleep. Jasmine was also exhausted, yet sleep was the farthest thing from her mind. For a moment she couldn't stop shaking from revulsion, then she forced herself to slip quietly from the bed. Her skin crawled as if there had been maggots on her and she wondered if she would ever feel clean again, but she forced herself to shake off the horror of the previous hours and like a ghost melted into the shadows and materialized in the east wing at Estel e's door.

Chapter 42.

"My G.o.d, child, what has he done to you?"

Jasmine shook her head wearily. "No intercourse. I fed him some hemlock. We must get away from him. It's so much more abhorrent than I ever imagined, and the night to come wil be even worse. I asked Murphy to keep two horses saddled for me. We can't go now, for soon as he awoke he would fol ow. The tide comes in just at the hour of noon today.